Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-07

proud to pay her imperial worth. Were
there tears in the brown eyes that made
them lustrous as she looked so steadily,
so earnestly in my face? Dear little Wo-
man.
Nv regiment was ordered away next
day tor Montana. And there was that
look again upon her face when l called
to say goodbye. She held rosebud in
her hand and had torn one leaf from 1t
and was mechanically brushing it across
her lips. took it from her.
"Why?" she asked.
For reply l put it in my pocketbook.
"You are only schoolboy STILL" she
said, and stepping to the conservatory
she returned with the leaf of rose gera-
mum, which she gave me. 1 took her
hand and pressed it, unresisted to my
lips.
Dared I do more? l drew it toward
me so imperceptibly that l feared she
might not feel the invitation was giving,
vet Disgusting. Just moment of keen
est doubt, and them am waiting for
words to describe my sensations. 1t
seems so feeble only to say l kissed her,
but that was it.
Along the river road, as slowly can
L
over again, feeling once more, in imagina-
ton, the first trembling response to my
indicated wish; again the upturned and
hslf-frightened face was, with moist lips,
coming near my own, and | felt that
thrilling contact.
In these intervening years how often |
have re-lived that moment.
l have frequently thought that a more
forward man would have taken advantage
of that instant: would have folded her in
his arms and kissed her again and again
have told her of his love, and asked her
to be true and honest in his absence; but
l did not. Could l make her my wife?
Would she be happy in the hum drum
life of an army post? Would be content
TO have her there? These were ques-
tions that asked neutrality-suspicious. that
l never answered.
The life makes dreamers of US. What
other man would have expected nine
years to pass without any communion
ton between himself and woman whom
he loved or fancied, upon his return TO
find her waiting for him. What other
would have deserved it?
1t was with strange citation that
dressed myself on the evening of my re-
turn to Fort Leavenworth nine years
after leaving it. Was she living still?
Would she be glad to see me? never
doubted il. In my buttonhole 1 wore. the
leaf of rose geranium and one leaf torn
from a rosebud in sweet significance Of
that parting. The mementoes of that
evening were in my pocket, dried and
withered, but the memory of their giver
was as green and fragrant as the younger
souvenirs upon my coat. l rode into the
town. The town? I should have said
the city. Rip Van Wrinkle returning to
the village of Falling Water saw no great
er change. l was looking forthe hotel
thst l had known. 1t was gone. So
were the sleepy boys that used to stand
upon the corner. The streets were paved
and full Of business. The town which
had lined and overlooked the river now
stretches to the west and climbed the
distant hill. Everything had changed.
For the first time DOUBT laid its palsled
hand On hope. Where, where was she?
/ inquired for the principal hotel and
dismounted st it. The Office was full of
mensof business talking trade and sam
pies and corner lots. wanted to speak
to the proprietor, but not there. l